Kim Jong-il: Supreme Leader of North Korea Dies at About 70

Kim Jong-il was the leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011. Born on February 16, 1941, according to North Korea (Soviet records say 1941 and he was likely born in the Soviet Union), he was the son of founder Kim Il-sung.

He took over after his father's death in 1994 and led the country through a famine in the 1990s that killed many people. He pursued nuclear weapons and conducted two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009, and kept the country isolated.

He was reported to have died of a heart attack on a train on December 17, 2011, at age 70. His son Kim Jong-un succeeded him.

Achievements: Supreme Leader of North Korea (1994-2011).

Birth: February 16, 1941 - Disputed.

Profession: Dictator.

Interesting Facts: North Korea reported his death two days later.